The community garden buzzed with a quiet energy, a mix of patients and therapists tending to the rows of vegetables and flowers. Kai and Kara worked side-by-side, their hands stained with soil, carefully planting seedlings. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming herbs, a stark contrast to the sterile hallways of the hospital. Initially, the conversation was heavy, a shared lament for Ethan. They spoke of his infectious laughter, his dreams, the cruel twist of fate that had taken him away. "He would have loved this," Kara said, her voice soft, tracing the delicate veins of a leaf. Kai nodded, a lump forming in his throat. "He always wanted a garden. Said it was like making a little piece of heaven." The silence that followed was not uncomfortable, but a shared space of grief and remembrance. As the morning progressed, the atmosphere lightened. The therapists, seasoned in their craft, gently nudged the group towards lighter topics, sharing anecdotes and playful banter. A few older patients, with knowing smiles, teased Kai and Kara about their budding friendship, their cheeks flushing a delicate pink. Kai, usually withdrawn, found himself smiling, a genuine, unguarded smile that Kara had rarely seen.
The following day, Kai found himself alone on the basketball court, the rhythmic bounce of the ball a soothing counterpoint to the turmoil in his mind. He dribbled, shot, and rebounded, the physical exertion a welcome release. With each basket, a sliver of doubt seemed to dissipate. It's still there, that darkness. But it's not as overwhelming. Dr. Cruz, Kara, Dennis... they're all helping. I'm actually… improving? It's weird. I can't believe it. I feel like I can do this. He thought of Dennis, his unwavering support, and Kara, her gentle presence a constant source of comfort. They believe in me. I need to believe in myself. He remembered Kara's efforts, and was very thankful. He was very optimistic. Suddenly, he noticed Kara standing by the sidelines, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and admiration. He hadn't expected to see her. A blush crept up his neck as he realized she had witnessed his impromptu practice. "Hey," he said, the ball bouncing softly in his hand. Kara smiled, a genuine, radiant smile that made his heart skip a beat. "Wow, I forgot you were on the varsity team," she said, her voice filled with awe. "You're really good." Kai shrugged, a hint of his old shyness returning. "It's just practice." He paused, then extended the ball towards her. "Want to play?" Kara's eyes lit up. "Sure!" They played, their laughter echoing across the court, the tension of the past weeks melting away with each pass and shot. Happy thoughts ran through their minds. Kara, caught up in the moment, found herself wishing for a future where Kai was truly healed. "I hope things get better from here on," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Better for you, getting well and having your life back. You deserve it, Kai." Kai, his heart full of gratitude, could only smile. Thank you, Kara.
Later that evening, Kara, having finished her visit with Kai, walked towards the bus stop. As she passed the hospital gates, she noticed the agitated patient from the hallway, sitting hunched on a nearby bench. She recognized him, and a wave of pity washed over her. She remembered how distressed he was in the hospital. She hesitated for a moment, thinking she should go back inside and inform the nurses that he had left, but she was already running late. "Hey," she said gently, approaching him. "Are you alright? It's getting late." The patient looked up, his eyes unfocused. He muttered something unintelligible. Kara, feeling a sense of compassion, sat beside him. "Do you need help getting home? Do you have someone to call?" The patient's muttering grew louder, and his movements became more erratic. She realized this was not going to work. "I'll be right back, I'll just inform the nurses", Kara said, and quickly walked back inside the hospital. She found a nurse at the reception, and informed her that the patient had left. The nurse thanked her, and said she would inform security. Kara, feeling a little relieved, walked back outside. The bench was empty. The patient was gone. A chill ran down her spine. She started walking towards the bus stop again, trying to shake off the unease. She told herself that he was probably just walking around, and that he would be fine. She was wrong. Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned, her heart leaping into her throat. It was him. His gaze was fixated on her, his eyes wide and unfocused. He started to follow her, his movements erratic and unpredictable. Kara quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest. The patient's muttering grew louder, and he began to run towards her. Kara screamed and tried to run away.
Kai, relishing the strides in his improvent and the joyful day he's had in his room, felt a jolt. He stared out at the twilight, the world outside a blur of fading colors. Then, a sudden, vivid image ripped through his mind. Kara, her hair flying behind her, sprinting down a dimly lit street. A figure, dark and menacing, hot on her heels. The sound of her panicked breaths filled his ears. Was it a dream? A vision? The line blurred, indistinguishable. A cold dread settled in his stomach. If this is real, and I don't do something... He couldn't finish the thought. He knew he had to help. With a swift motion, he grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and slipped it on, then shoved his feet into his shoes. He slipped out of his room, his heart pounding, and ran out of the hospital. Kai, fueled by adrenaline and a desperate need to protect Kara, sprinted towards them. He reached Kara just as the patient lunged, grabbing her arm. Kai pushed the patient away, placing himself between Kara and the agitated man. The patient, disoriented and confused, lashed out at Kai, his movements wild and unpredictable. "Run, Kara! Get help!" Kai shouted, his voice strained. Kara, terrified but realizing she couldn't help in her current state, turned and sprinted down the street, her footsteps echoing in the twilight. Kai focused his attention on the patient, trying to subdue him. He managed to pin the man down, but the struggle was intense. Suddenly, the patient managed to break free, shoving Kai with surprising force. Kai stumbled backward, losing his footing. He crashed through a poorly maintained fence, and tumbled down a steep embankment, the rough ground scraping against his skin. He landed with a sickening crunch, a sharp pain shooting through his forearm. The patient, seeing his chance, disappeared into the deepening shadows, his muttering fading into the night.
Kai lay on the ground, his breath ragged, his forearm throbbing with pain. He tried to move, but a wave of dizziness washed over him. Pain. So much pain. My arm... broken? Kara... is she safe? I have to get up. I have to find her. But I can't... everything's spinning. Why did he attack her? I can't believe I left the hospital. I was doing so well. What will Dr. Cruz say? What will Kara think? I just wanted to help... Kai groaned, closing his eyes, the pain overwhelming him. He curled into a fetal position, his uninjured arm wrapped tightly around his broken forearm, hugging it close to his chest in a desperate attempt to alleviate the throbbing agony. His body trembled with the force of the pain.
Kara, meanwhile, sprinted down the street, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to flag down passing cars, but no one stopped. She pulled out her phone, her hands shaking, and dialed 911. Her voice was a mix of fear and desperation as she explained the situation. Kara, after calling the authorities, began to run back to where she last saw Kai. She was extremely worried, and very scared. As she ran, she saw flashing lights in the distance, and heard sirens approaching. Police cars arrived, their headlights cutting through the darkness. Kara, her eyes filled with tears, directed them towards the embankment, explaining what had happened. Officers descended into the ravine, their flashlights scanning the rough terrain. Meanwhile, other officers pursued the patient, their voices echoing through the night. The patient, disoriented and confused, put up little resistance, and was quickly apprehended. Kara, her heart pounding, watched as the officers searched the embankment. She called out Kai's name, her voice cracking with fear. "Kai! Kai, where are you?" The officers searched diligently, their flashlights probing the shadows. "We're not seeing him here, Ma'am." An officer said. Kara's eyes widened in horror. "But he fell! He has to be here!" The officers continued their search, their expressions grim. Kara, her body shaking, scanned the darkness, her mind racing with fear. "He's gone," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The officers, after a thorough search, confirmed that Kai was nowhere to be found. "We'll widen the search," an officer said, his voice reassuring, but Kara could see the concern in his eyes. As the police began to expand their search, Kara stood at the edge of the embankment, her gaze fixed on the darkness below. Where are you, Kai? Where did you go? She looked up at the sky, the stars twinkling coldly in the night. A wave of dread washed over her. Something was wrong. Very wrong.